May 19 - June 6

Summer Program 2025
Introductory Category

Join us for The Conducting Institute’s Summer Program, where students of all levels will explore the art and craft of orchestral conducting in a rigorous and encouraging setting, focused on teaching the fundamentals and establishing a solid foundation in this art form, both in classroom sessions and in front of orchestral ensembles. 

The summer’s Introductory Program aims to provide a comprehensive educational experience for beginning conductors. Consisting of extensive classes and hands-on Lab Ensemble sessions, the three-week program will cover thoroughly such topics as:

  • Fundamental Skills of Conducting

    • Score reading in multiple clefs

    • Transpositions

    • Orchestration

    • Ear Training (Dictations, sight singing, …)

    • Aural Skills (Singing Bach chorales in multiple clefs, … )

    • Keyboard Skills (Figured bass, playing Bach chorales in multiple clefs, …)

    • Languages and Terminology

    • Study of recitatives in multiple languages

    • Knowledge of orchestral terminologies in multiple languages

  • Score Study

    • Analysis of Repertoire

    • Preparing for Rehearsals

    • Working with Soloists

  • Mechanics of Conducting

    • Application of all the knowledge above from the podium

    • Video analysis of institute sessions and participants’ own previous conducting.

Schedule

The Summer Program will be May 19 - June 6, 2025.

The first week, May 19 - 23, will be virtual, comprising conducting seminars on the chosen repertoire, aural skills and ear training classes, and other classes on fundamental skills of conducting. Synchronous participation from 10am to 4pm Central Time is mandatory for all participants.

The second and third weeks, May 26 - June 6, will consist of hands-on work with the Institute’s Laboratory Orchestra, conducting seminars to discuss Lab Orchestra sessions, and ear training classes. In-person days will begin at 8:30am and end by 5:30pm.

A normal day will consist of 3 hours of orchestra session in the morning, followed by an ear training class, conducting seminar, and classes on various topics in the afternoon.

FOR SUMMER 2025: the Van Cliburn Piano Competition is taking place during the Institute, and there is a possibility of attending rehearslas for the competition in the evenings. These are not mandatory but rare and invaluable opportunity!

Where

Orchestra Hall
4401 Trail Lake Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76109

Instructors

Miguel Harth-Bedoya and Associate Faculty
View our full faculty roster here.

Classes

Our program is unique in offering a variety of classes to provide a comprehensive conducting training. Classes for the summer program will include:

- Conducting Mechanics
- Score Study
- Ear Training
- Score Reading at the Piano
- Instrumental Techniques (Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, and Timpani) with associate faculty
- Writing Skills

Podium Time

The students will work with a quintet of Lab Orchestra Fellows, which may or may not be supplmented by participants also playing in the ensemble. Each student receives 15 minutes of podium time, 6 times in two weeks, for a total of 90 minutes of podium time.

Designed for those who are looking to start their journey in orchestral conducting as beginners or music-eductor-in-training, this participation option will give you elementary tools of conducting. Participants will attend all the classroom sessions for the Full Participants (e. g. aural skills, keyboard skills, instrument techniques, etc.), conduct in six sessions with an ensemble consisting of other introductory participants, and play and conduct in ad hoc ensembles with Full Participants.

Repertoire
- Haydn, Recitative from The Creation
- Bartok, Romanian Folk Dances (arr. Harth-Bedoya)
- Mozart, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
- Elgar, Serenade for Strings, Mov’t II
- VIvaldi, “Winter” from Four Seasons

Conducting sessions will be taught by Andrew J. Kim, Maritza Cáceres, and Miguel Harth-Bedoya.

Tuition and Application Deadline

Tuition
Introductory Participation - $1,498
Online Class Participation (Week 1 only) - $300
Auditing (In-person only) - $100 per week

Financial aid is available, also for auditors!

(Travel, housing, and meals are the responsibility of the participants.)